The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost ARC Review

In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who’s bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn’t mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn’t: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…

Decedents of Judas are born to betray decedents of David. Now, for those of you who don’t know these Biblical stories, Judas was the one who led Jesus to his death. He showed the guards who he was by kissing Jesus on the cheek. As for David, think of the story of David and Goliath. Remember the slingshot that David (a mortal) killed Goliath (a mortal in the Bible, and a demon in Beautiful Ashes) with? Well, that particular slingshot is very important. Like, really, super important. It can pretty much determine whether out main character’s sister is going to live or die.

Pretty intense, yeah?

Our story starts with the main characters sister being kidnapped and taken to one of the demon realms. While searching for her, she meets the friendly neighborhood Thor look alike who happens to be the one destined to betray her. He takes her to see an Angel. Yes, a real, live angel. In order to save her sister, she and Thor look alike have to work together to find David’s slingshot.

They have to do this while trying not to get killed by Demons, avoiding the sexual tension and trying not to be complete ninnies to each other. All of which they sort of suck at.

This book. It was entertaining even if I didn’t really like the characters all that much. As a matter of fact, I probably only liked the characters about 5% of the time. Why? Welp. Both of them were just so. . .in denial. I mean I understand why they wouldn’t get close to each other with the whole inevitable betrayal thing, but come on. At least work together. And stooooppp hiding so much.

Ivy, although a strong female lead with her whole I’ll do anything (and I mean anything) to save my sister persona, she still needed somebody. And that somebody happened to come in the form of Adrian, a man with a secret who happens to be drop dead gorgeous. I mean what.

And let’s move onto Adrian, shall we? This boy is so complicated. Are all guys this complicated? If they are, I’m just going to start adopting cats now. Besides this secret, he’s also willing to do whatever it takes to protect Ivy. And deny his attraction to her. Is this attraction the destiny that comes with the betrayal, or something else?

In the end, I’d award this book 3.5 stars. It was an entertaining read with a freaking fabulous cover and a story that will keep you reading even if the characters are a little less than perfect.

“”When it’s light versus dark, that doesn’t matter. One shadow in a brightly lit room goes unnoticed, but shine a ray of light into even the darkest corner…and everything changes.”” (ARC)

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